THEN: After his sophomore season at Illinois, Jenkins had these career numbers: 21 catches, 310 yards and four TDs.

NOW: After his first season in the NFL, Jenkins has these career numbers: 0 catches, 0 yards and 1 drop.

THEN: Things got so bad it appeared Jenkins was on his way out. Jenkins wanted to transfer after his 10-catch, 123-yard sophomore season, but was persuaded to stay by newly hired offensive coordinator Paul Petrino.

NOW: Things are bad enough to fuel speculation Jenkins will be on his way out. His lackluster training-camp performance – and lost fumble in the preseason opener – has at least raised the question: Would a team cut a first-round pick before his second season?

THEN: Jenkins lacked confidence, a must-have trait for a wide receiver. When Petrino arrived, he recognized Jenkins didn’t have the proper swagger and began by building him up.

“Coach Petrino sat A.J. down after winter workouts and told him he could be one of the best receivers, if not the best receiver, ever to come out of Illinois,” Illini quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase said for this story in 2012. “And A.J. took that to heart for sure. He believed in it.”

NOW: After Jenkins reported to the 49ers’ rookie minicamp in 2012 out of shape and inspired less-than-flattering reviews for his performance in OTAs, Jim Harbaugh made an unscheduled media appearance during training camp to build him up.

Said Harbaugh: “I’ll go on record: A.J. is going to be an outstanding football player. So far in camp, and what he’s done in the offseason, has led us to believe nothing but he’ll be an outstanding football player in the National Football League.”

THEN: There was evidence Jenkins needed to be pushed to practice hard consistently.

After he had 12 catches for a school-record 268 yards and three touchdowns against Northwestern as a senior, Petrino had a message as he walked by the star of the game, who was meeting with the media: “You’ve got to practice hard every day. Then you’ll keep it up.”

Later in Jenkins’ senior season, Petrino offered this to reporters: “The biggest thing (A.J.) needs to do is show up every day at practice, work as hard as he can, not get too worried about reading the newspaper and reading about himself too much.”

Finally, Petrino told Jenkins this during a phone call on the night he was drafted: “Make sure you get a run in tomorrow. Don’t relax. And make sure you have your ass in shape for minicamp.’”

It should be noted that Petrino is known as a blunt, hard-driving coach, but those quotes appear telling.

NOW: There is evidence Jenkins needs to be pushed to practice hard consistently.

In the midst of lavishing praise on Jenkins this week, tight end Vernon Davis said he offered this bit of advice: “… I also explained to him that when he comes to work, he’s got to be serious. You’ve got to be serious about this.”

Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback with the famously maniacal work ethic, declined the chance to go to bat for Jenkins last week when it was noted he’d strung together two solid practices.